Hi guys, I'm really craving some authentic Chinese food, in particular Shanghainese cuisine - does anyone have any good recommendations for the Triangle area? (It seems most good places do Sichuan food.) I'll take general recommendations on Chinese food as well. Thanks!!

Palace Magic Menu has more authentic stuff. Spicy Dried Bean Curd with Shredded Pork is amazing. And if you want to do a date to cater in, order the two day duck and ask them not to cut it up. it's amazing...

I agree - I try to visit Shanghai as often as my schedule and finances permit. I wish I could just transport all of the food there back to the states with me. (Especially all the street food and pastries!)

It looks like you've hit most of the ones I'm aware of. For the sake of others... a pretty good but non-exhaustive list.

C&T Wok (Morrisville) sichuan - probably the most authentic sichuan in the area.

35 Chinese (Cary) sichuan - good but reasonably expensive

Taipei 101 (Cary) taiwanese, passable sichuan

Super Wok (Cary) fujian

Gourmet Kingdom (Carrboro) sichuan

Grand Asia of course has their own thing.

I sort of did like David's Dumpling and Noodle Bar in Raleigh, but I was lucky enough to be there for lunch when they had zhajiangmian as a special. It's otherwise asian-american fusion but his dumplings aren't bad at all.

One I have not yet seen referenced, however, is Able Bar and Grill. While it might not sate your craving for shanghaiese, it's authentic street food. Definitely go there. Of course, I haven't been in a month or two. Terrible location (at least in terms of history and what hasn't survived at this spot), I imagine it's still open.

Edit: The "other" chinese grocery in town, A&C, supposedly has a good kitchen akin to grand asia, too. Haven't actually eaten at it though.

Also, another new Asian grocery just opened in Cary... Today Asia Market @ 1207-I Kildaire Farm Rd. in Cary. Obviously this is untested territory.

How did you like Able? I went when they first opened up and had a pretty bad experience. My tolerance for spice is pretty high, but I couldn't eat what I had ordered (forget what it was, just remember it was mostly red pepper flakes). When I asked for a glass of water... they said they didn't have water for tap, and that I would need to order a bottle. I haven't been back there since, but I am genuinely interested in hearing more about it.

You need to check out Sakura Express on Hillsboro St. It's under new management and is a completely different restaurant than it was a year ago. The new owner is a badass chef who trained at the CIA and runs the restaurant with his family. They've got an entire menu in Chinese and I see Chinese students eating in there constantly. Good stuff.